Tuesday, August 12, 2025

We’re far enough into the year that January’s shiny optimism has dulled. The wall calendar has flipped more than a few pages, life’s curveballs have taken their swings, and those big, ambitious goals we set back in the cold months may be quietly collecting dust.

Here’s the thing—now is a perfect time to dust them off, pick two or three that truly matter to you or to your organization, and commit to finishing them strong. Not “maybe.” Not “if I have time.” Make it known…to your team, your friends, your family—that you’re going to knock these out of the park between now and December 31.

Why do so many people skip this? A few usual suspects:

  • Too many goals, not enough focus. We try to juggle ten priorities at once and wonder why nothing gets finished.
  • The invisible goal problem. If you don’t tell anyone, no one’s holding you accountable—and it’s easier to quietly let it slide.
  • The perfect start trap. Waiting for the “right time” or a clear calendar means the work never actually starts.
  • The moving target. Goals that shift every time something new comes along never land anywhere.

The benefits of choosing a short list and going all in are huge:

  • You reclaim momentum—there’s energy in finishing what you start.
  • Your reputation for reliability grows—people notice follow-through.
  • You create a success story you can build on next year.
  • You’ll have a fresh set of wins late in 2025 that people will remember as more impactful than the things you accomplished at the beginning of the year—that’s just human nature.
  • And—let’s be honest—it just feels good to cross the finish line.

So here’s your homework: look at your list. Pick two or three goals that would make you proud to accomplish before the year ends. Make them visible. Say them out loud to someone who matters. Post them on your wall. And then, take the first step this week—not next month—so you can finish the year not just running, but sprinting.

Because a strong finish doesn’t just happen—it’s built, one intentional decision at a time.

Until Next Time,

Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC